Gerald Wallace rarely has the best line in the Nets' box score, but a simple look at the stats doesn't do justice to the contribution the hard-working small forward makes on a daily basis.

"He's so important," Deron Williams said. "What he does can't be seen on stats. His hustle, his energy, his intensity ... just doing the little things that nobody else wants to do and the intangibles he brings to this team."

Wallace's performance against the Bulls on Friday was typical of what he can do when playing at his best. In 41 minutes — his first game with more than 40 in nearly two months — he finished with six points and 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards, along with two assists and a steal in the Nets' 93-89 victory.

And it was Wallace's tip-in off a Deron Williams missed jumper with 31 seconds left that helped to put the Bulls away.

But more importantly, Wallace played the entire second half, as Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo went small to match the Bulls — who had starting power forward Carlos Boozer and center Joakim Noah sitting out with injuries, and moved regular starting small forward Luol Deng to power forward.